Question

"Read the excerpt below from ""Choose Wisely,"" a literary analysis of S. E. Hinton's novel The Outsiders. As you read, consider what evidence is used to show that Dally makes poor choices throughout the novel. At the beginning of the novel, Dally is rude to Cherry Valence, shows little sympathy for anyone other than his pet, Johnny, and is portrayed as an unfeeling, hot-headed person. Later in the novel, he makes no effort to save the children from the fire. Rather, he tries to stop Ponyboy and Johnny from entering the inflamed church. Although an argument can be made that Dally tries to stop the rescue because he cares for his friends, this action only shows that his choices are based on selfish reasoning--he doesn't want to lose friends because it might affect him. This selfishness also influences Dally's decisions after Johnny dies. Rather than deal with the grief of losing a friend, he decides instead to commit su!c!de by forcing the police to sh00t him. How does this evidence support the idea that Dally makes poor choices throughout the novel? A) It provides evidence that a character is trying to change but cannot. B) It shows how a character changes as the novel progresses. C) It suggests that a character is heavily influenced by other characters. D) It provides many specific examples of a character's actions.

Answer 1

The evidence supports the notion that Dally in 'The Outsiders' consistently makes poor choices, evidenced by multiple specific actions throughout the novel that highlight his self-centered and impulsive nature.

Step-by-step explanation:

The provided evidence supports the idea that Dally makes poor choices throughout the novel by providing many specific examples of his actions. The evidence does not show a character trying to change, evolving over the course of the narrative, or being particularly influenced by other characters. Instead, it consistently portrays Dally's decisions as selfish and misguided, culminating in the extremity of his response to grief by forcing his own death. Dally's inability to cope with loss and personal hardship in a constructive manner underscores the theme of self-destructive choices in the novel.

Answer 2

The evidence supports the idea that Dally makes poor choices by showing his pattern of self-serving and reckless behavior throughout 'The Outsiders'.

Step-by-step explanation:

The evidence presented shows that Dally consistently makes choices that could be viewed as self-serving or indicative of a refusal to face emotional hardship. Suggesting that Dally's actions are poor choices, the analysis details instances such as his recklessness and ultimate encounter with the police after Johnny's death. This behavior underlines the thesis that Dally's decisions in The Outsiders are selfishly motivated and detrimental, both to himself and to those around him. Instead of demonstrating change or adaptation, these actions show a pattern of decision-making that consistently lacks a constructive or empathetic approach to the challenging situations he faces.